Crumbling Opposition,Politicians disagree on defections
SOME politicians have disagreed on reasons opposition parties appear to crumble after general elections as political leaders defect to the ruling party.
While many stakeholders frowned at the situation and attributed such exodus to selfish interest and lack of respect for party ideology and philosophy, some said defections were justifiable, if politicians were unjustly treated and needed to move to actualise their political aspirations.
Since the end of the 2023 general elections, a host of elected opposition figures have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with more, including governors expected to jump ship, before the end of 2025, ahead of the 2027 polls. For instance, the Labour Party, LP, which emerged as the Third Force after the election has lost no fewer than 18 lawmakers to the APC. The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has also lost scores of elected officials including 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, some members of the House of Representatives and senators.
Judiciary should rise up to its responsibility— Ekpenyong
Speaking on the issue, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Chris Ekpenyong, said that the judiciary has a key role to play in addressing the problem. He noted with concern the lack of adherence to the provisions of the constitution, warning that tilting to a one-party system is wrong and unhealthy for Nigeria’s democracy.
His words: “The constitution is explicit that you cannot change your political party once you contested and won an election on the platform. Once you change your political party and your party takes you to court, the courts should take drastic decisions on the constitutional matter.
“The courts should not try to find a way to circumvent the law. The judiciary has a responsibility to interpret the provisions of the constitution well to politicians.”
It shows a profound crisis in our political landscape —Oyelese
Elder Wole Oyelese, a PDP chieftain and ex Minister of Power and Steel, said: “The troubling phenomenon of opposition politicians defecting to ruling parties after elections underscores a profound crisis in our political landscape.
“It reflects a disheartening reality where the allure of power, coupled with the tantalizing promise of personal enrichment, often overshadow their original convictions and commitments to the electorate.
“When these politicians abandon their principles, they not only betray the trust of the constituents who rallied behind them but also compromise the very essence of democratic governance.
“It is a betrayal that erodes public faith in political integrity and diminishes the accountability that should be paramount in any democratic society.
“The motivations behind these defections are often rooted in a desire for survival and influence; many believe that aligning themselves with the ruling party will secure their political future and provide access to resources and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
“However, this shift creates a dangerous cycle where ambition takes precedence over ethical leadership, and loyalty becomes a fleeting concept, easily sacrificed for personal gain.
“Ultimately, this trend not only threatens the foundations of democracy but also perpetuates a culture of cynicism among the electorate, who may begin to feel that their voices and choices are inconsequential in a system where principles are so readily discarded for power and privilege.”
LP fingers use of state resources to lure opposition figures
National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, said: “We cannot ignore the influence of the use of state resources by the ruling party to undermine opposition parties as one of the main reasons for this unhealthy development.
“Not everyone who is in politics is genuinely interested in using his/her position to better society, we must tell ourselves the truth.
“In the case of our party for example, there were those who joined us not because they believed in what our party stands for but because they saw an opportunity provided by the popularity of our platform and they used it to win elections only to get into office and jump into the same political party they defeated at the polls to get into office.
“For this trend to stop, we must not only strengthen our laws but we should also strengthen our capacity to enforce them.
“This is why we as the Labour Party are in court to ensure that those lawmakers who are trying to take our mandate to the ruling party are not given that opportunity.”
Defecting to actualise your political interests isn’t wrong– Idahosa
However, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State, Hon Charles Idahosa differed saying: “There is nothing wrong with defecting from one party to the other, it is just that a lot of people make a meal out of it. You saw what happened in America in the last election where we say we copied our presidential system from, a lot of Republicans openly supported Kamala Harris and there was no hue and cry about it. It depends on your disposition, it depends on whatever is happening at any point in time. There was no former US president that supported Donald Trump, yet at the end of the day, the people spoke and he won.
“Coming home, there is nothing that says I cannot move, if I am not comfortable with the position of the party. We left APC for PDP and when we discovered that (former governor Godwin) Obaseki decided to take on everybody that made him, why will I stay with him? So, if it is not convenient, you make a move because politics is a game of interest where there is no permanent enemy or friend. So there is nothing wrong with defecting. If you are not comfortable with the position of a party you can move to another party. In some places abroad, if there is room for independent candidacy, you can become an independent candidate and contest.”
Our democracy is facing challe-nges – Ameh
National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh, said: “The Multi-party democratic system in Nigeria is facing significant challenges, and one of the primary reasons is the constant defection of elected members from opposition parties to the ruling party.
“This trend prevents opposition parties from growing organically, as their elected representatives often abandon ship to join the ruling party, seeking power, influence, and financial benefits.
“As a result, opposition parties are left weakened, and their ability to participate in the democratic process and challenge the bad policies of the ruling party is severely impaired.
“This phenomenon has led to a situation where opposition parties act as unwilling feeder pillars for the ruling party, providing them with a steady stream of experienced politicians and further consolidating their power.
“The lack of a strong opposition party has significant implications for Nigeria’s democracy, as it undermines the principles of multiparty democracy and limits the ability of citizens to hold their leaders accountable.
“Politicians jumping ship to join the ruling party is a widespread phenomenon, and it’s not unique to any particular country or region.
“In Nigeria, this trend is attributed to the capture state and non-tolerant government that undermines the electoral system and interferes with the independence of the electoral commission.
“One of the primary reasons politicians defect to the ruling party is the promise of power, influence, and financial benefits. In a system where the ruling party has significant control over resources and appointments, politicians may feel compelled to join the party in power to advance their careers and interests.
“This is particularly true for opposition members of parliament who may not be popular or have failed to deliver on their promises to the people.
“The lack of a free, fair, and transparent electoral system also contributes to this ugly trend. When politicians feel that they cannot win elections through legitimate means, they may resort to defecting to the ruling party to maintain their power and influence.
“This happens in Nigeria where the ruling party has significant control over the electoral commission and can influence the outcome of elections.
“Another factor that contributes to party switching is the weakness of the law. In Nigeria, Section 109 subsection 1g of the constitution is weakened by Section 109 subsection 2 (g), which allows politicians to defect without penalty and manipulation by presiding officers of the National and state assemblies.
“This loophole needs to be addressed through legislative reforms to make the law stricter and prevent politicians from exploiting it.
“Other countries have also struggled with party switching, and some have implemented measures to prevent it. For example, India has the Anti-Defection Act, which prohibits politicians from switching parties. Malaysia has also banned party hopping, and politicians who switch parties can be disqualified from holding public office.”
He further said, “Politicians jumping ship to join the ruling party is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach.
“Addressing the root causes of party switching, such as the capture state, non-tolerant government, and weakness of the law, is crucial to preventing this trend.
“Implementing measures such as stricter laws and reforms to the electoral system can help to reduce party switching and promote a more stable and democratic political system.”
Principles’re in short supply in our clime — Ologbondiyan
Former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said: “People have different reasons for doing what they do in politics.
“While there is no disputing the fact that the ruling party at any time can dangle carrots to attract members from the opposition, the fact remains that principles are in short supply in our society.
“Some opposition parties should also share in the blame. When a political party, whether in or out of power, refuses to adhere to its own rules it prepares grounds for people to seek validation and political relevance elsewhere.”
Many politicians decamp for selfish reason —Bekee, APC chieftain
To Rivers State Chairman of the APC, Chief Emeka Bekee, “stomach infrastructure” accounts for 99 percent why “unstable” politicians move from one political party to another without recourse to dignity and self-esteem.
Bekee noted that defection in Nigerian politics has nothing to do with party ideology. “It is an individual thing. Politicians should know that the major reason they belong to a party is to change the lives of their people. If you win an election, remain in your party. If you lose an election, remain in your party. It is about self-discipline,” he said and regretted that most politicians do not even follow their party manifesto.
“It is a sad narrative in this part of the world. Many people see politics as the only way they can remain relevant in their lives. It is not supposed to be so. There are millions of people out there who are relevant in their chosen fields. It must not only be politics.
“My take on this is that every politician should remain steadfast in their political parties in season and off season. It is when they do this that they can build a strong and virile political party,” he said.
Until our judiciary reinvents itself, the problem’ll not stop — Akene
Also speaking, Surv. Furoebi Akene, a development consultant and former Commissioner in Bayelsa State said: “Inactive selection processes and corrupt judgments by the judiciary have given opposition politicians the audacity to defect even though Section 68, subsection 2(g) of the 1999 constitution as amended is clear on it.
A member of the Senate or the House of Representative shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if “being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected” with some proviso.
This is also applicable to members elected to the State House of Assembly as provided in section 109, subsection 1(g) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
“It is unfortunate that there is no credibility in the judiciary of this country any longer to do justice according to the provisions of the law. So, they are at liberty to abuse the law the way it pleases them since they have the means and the wherewithal to compromise judges that are willing to play along. Until the judiciary reinvent itself and do what is right and dispense justice according to the provisions of the law without fear, favour or any external influences, this show of shame will not stop.”
APC has brighters prospect in 2027 — Obiuwebwi
An APC chieftain and a former commissioner on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Ominimini Obiuwebwi boasted that currently in Nigeria “people defect to the ruling APC because they have seen a brighter opportunity in APC in 2027. They believe that in 2027, APC’s chances of winning in Nigeria are very bright. On that ground, like the law of Osmosis, when you do diffusion, the chemical will move to an area of higher concentration. The area of higher concentration now as far as political chances are concerned is that President Bola Tinubu will win again in 2027.
“Moreover, politicians have seen that President Bola Tinubu has a large heart. He is a man who embraces both the opposition and his party, so instead of wasting time in the opposition, they will just join him.”
Stomach interest responsible for defections to ruling party — Nwoko
Former Attorney General in Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, noted: “For me, it is a product of the fact that our politics is not played on ideological basis. It is based only on an individual’s interest. It is the ideology/philosophy of a party that defines its manifesto. But in Nigeria, nobody bothers about the ideology or philosophy of a party.
“All politicians want is where their bread can be buttered. It’s all about their stomach. They are not interested in what happens to their political party. You will notice that even those who won elections still defect to the majority party.
“You can see people who won election on the PDP, Labour Party platforms defect to the APC. So, practically what happens is that somewhere along the line in our journey as a nation, we lost a sense of shame. Nigerians don’t feel a sense of shame again. People no longer stand with a political party because of its ideology or philosophy. People just want where they know that their interest will be protected, that is all. If you go to America, you find families that are democrats, families that are Republicans, from generation to generation, whether they lose elections 100 times or they win elections 100 times they stand by the ideology of their party. In Nigeria, there’s nothing like that. It’s a marriage of strange bedfellows.”
Some politicians just want to belong to a ruling party for personal gain — Essien
In his contribution, a PDP chieftain and former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Nduese Essien posited: “There are politicians who just want to belong to a ruling party in order to benefit. This is because it is the government in power that has things to throw around in terms of appointments, projects, etc.
“So after the election they jumped on the bandwagon. It is very wrong. It is lack of principle, lack of devotion; and not believing in the philosophy of the party.”
Asked how cross-carpeting to a ruling power affects politics in Nigeria, he simply said: “It ends up weakening the opposition, strengthening the government in power, and also reducing the effectiveness of the government in power because of the weakened opposition.”
Why politicians can’t withstand heat in opposition – Peretei
Ondo State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon Kennedy Peretei said that “ two major reasons are responsible. Most politicians cannot withstand being in opposition. They always prefer to be in the party in government so as to benefit from patronage distributed by the government.
“Secondly and most importantly, the majority of the politicians with this trait have no second address. So, they cannot stand firmly for what they believe in. They are always controlled by their stomachs.”
Some elected politicians defect due to poor performance — Adebayo
The Chairman of LP in Osun State, Comrade Bello Adebayo said that many politicians defect to the ruling party due to lack of moral standard or strong ideologies.
“Most elected political office holders, especially lawmakers, cross to the ruling party to secure second term tickets knowing well that they have not performed to the expectation of their original party(ies).
“They know that in this part of the world once they join the ruling party as an elected public official, it is almost certain to get the second term ticket in their new abode.
“Besides, Nigeria seems to be moving towards one party state and everyone is running into the fold of the ruling party.”
